Critic Reviews

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100

EL33TONLINE

Phoenix Wright is not like any game I have ever played before. I must admit I was sceptical at first, but the storyline draws you in and you may find yourself putting in a day or two of sick leave to get your client off the hook. The game uses simple graphics but the anime-styled characters, although animated minimally, are effective. The music is unique and I think its original sound added to the gameplay.

Games like Trace Memory, Lost in Blue and now Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney are three reasons why the Nintendo DS has become the must-buy purchase in the handheld wars (especially versus the overrated Sony PSP which has become nothing more than a glorified movie player).

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is somewhat of a misleading title as Phoenix is a rookie defense attorney and we are invited along to assist on the first five cases of his burgeoning career – by which time he earns his ace title. The first four cases have been ported over from the Japanese GBA Gyakuten Saiban game which was never released in North America. Episode five was specially created for the Nintendo DS to take advantage of its sophisticated touchscreen capabilities – but more later on this episode.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is THE killer app for the DS. There's no other game like it in the US. This is a game that will get around by word of mouth (I haven't heard of anyone who's played it that didn't like it,) and hopefully sell well enough to justify Capcom bringing out the rest of the series (part 4 is coming to Japan in 2006) to America.

Phoenix Wright, as a point-and-click game mostly made up of dialogue trees, is not breaking new ground in gaming. But I don't pick games based on whether or not they're the best new thing. I pick them to get the most and best enjoyment I can. And in that sense, Phoenix Wright delivers. It's fun and funny wrapped up in one colorful package.

The Nintendo DS was supposedly created to bring brand new experiences to a market that had begun to lose interest in the Videogame Industry as a whole. Now, whilst the premise of Phoenix Wright may not exactly be a fresh one, Capcom has converted it into one of the most compelling experiences not just on the DS, but on the market as of now. Want to try something different and expand your mind? You know where to go...

Everything about Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is surprising, from its intricately staged murders and clever humor to its mere existence. Any gamer looking for a good mystery book or a good laugh cannot go wrong with this instant classic. In fact, Phoenix Wright’s intelligent design and undemanding interface makes it a strong choice for Nintendo’s precious non-gamers as well. Any objections?

When a game has this much attention to detail, when the script fizzes along with such humour and throws in plot twist after plot twist during the courtroom battles, it's easy to forgive the linearity. In fact, it's probably fair to say that I haven't enjoyed a game as much as I've enjoyed Phoenix Wright for a very long time - and I'm not even that fond of the adventure genre. There's enough variety between the investigative phases and the courtroom to stop you from ever feeling like the game's in a rut, and the dialogue is consistently interesting, well-written and downright hilarious in places. The only thing that prevents a perfect ten is that there is limited replay value and the linearity of how you must raise objections at predefined points in the proceedings may annoy some people. Otherwise, it's as fine an example of the adventure game genre you're likely to see this year and well worth investing in. In fact, buying this game should be made law.

In this adventure for the Nintendo DS, you are Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney fresh from law school who hasn't even had a court case yet. You'll prove your clients innocent of murder in five distinct chapters, each with multiple trials. The game is like a cross between a point and click adventure and a digital comic book.

For a game that’s nothing more then navigating through windows and watching lines of text unfurl on the screen, it’s worth every second you put into it. Its fun to play like a book is fun to read or a movie is fun to watch. During each trial, you’re right there in the courtroom with Phoenix, slamming on the table in objection, making silly faces when put on the spot, or sweating bullets as an entire courtroom awaits your presentation of evidence to prove your point.

Try as anyone might, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a game that can never be fully perceived through mere words. It is a game that must be played with your own eyes, heard with your own ears and experienced with your own senses. Whenever a game of such craftsmanship actually gets a release in Europe, you would be a fool not to grasp it tightly and treasure its unique and original interactivity. Though it is a short game with only five cases, the game does offer over twenty hours of gameplay and is such a rich experience that it will seem longer and even more worthwhile than you could ever have imagined. With it taking advantage of the DS's microphone, touch screen, two screens and stylus, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a title that deserves a rightful place at the forefront of the DS's catalogue.

It’s glaringly obvious that gamers looking for action should look elsewhere. If it’s a great story with likeable characters (with the notable exception of Phoenix’s slightly annoying assistant he picks up shortly into the game) you want, then Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will sink its claws into you and not let go until the judge’s hammer comes down on that final case. Phoenix Wright, you are hereby found guilty of being the most entertaining way to pretend to be a lawyer while sitting on the toilet, and are sentenced to ten hours of quality time with your DS. Court dismissed.

The verdict is in - - Phoenix Wright is a unique gaming experience that, while very linear, is enjoyable time and time again. Though it might not accurately depict the actions that take place in the courtroom, the game still manages to be a unique and amusing law simulator.

Judge: –I have heard enough. The defendant, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, clearly has characteristics that will charm some and frustrate others. I have therefore decided to refer this case to be heard in front of a jury, as I believe only twelve good players can arrive at a fair and just verdict. Case dismissed!

Who would be a lawyer, eh? The Bard himself (that's Shakespeare, you philistines) was most uncomplimentary of their profession in several of his plays, even claiming "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers" was a most reasonable opening gambit when attempting to provoke social revolution. Well, Phoenix Wright would have something to say about that. OBJECTION!

Since the early '90s, virtually all conventional adventures have been point & click games on the PC. But now it's time to ditch the stereotypes, because there is a new platform in town. The Nintendo DS has unique features that bring new life to a tired genre without resorting to one pixel of action, arcade, or twitch-fingered gameplay. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, based on a highly popular Japanese game series and recently released in North America for the DS, makes full use of the system's wide ranging features and functionality. The result is not only a delightful game, but hopefully just the first episode of a new adventure series.

For a game that focuses on murders, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney sure is non-violent! Back in 2001 Capcom made Gyakuten Saiban for the GBA, which let Japanese players enjoy what happens after someone is ruthlessly killed. The game was successful and (in classic Capcom fashion) fostered sequels. Capcom has finally decided to release the first game in North America as a significantly enhanced port for the Nintendo DS. Yes, Phoenix Wright is a lawyer game, as well a murder mystery thriller, PC-style adventure, and spiritual successor to Carmen San Diego. More importantly, it is absolutely absorbing.

I never pictured myself enjoying a game about lawyers. Even at their most intriguing, legal dramas like CSI are pretty much joyless affairs - they might be good, but they're hardly what I'd call fun. Enter Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, who has a bit more in common with Harvey Birdman than John Grisham. Phoenix Wright doesn't concern itself with legal mumbo jumbo. Instead, it takes all of the inherent intrigue associated with murder cases, adds a ridiculously over-the-top sense of humor, and comes out with an outstanding adventure game.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is really nothing new in the world of point-and-click adventure games - it doesn't break any new ground, but it does have four things going for it. Phoenix Wright is portable, a game about a lawyer, accessible to everyone, and it's just a great all-around adventure game. Let's separate the people who should pick this game up right away. Do you only play World War 2 shooters? Are you incapable of playing a turn-based game? Is it impossible for your brain to process actual thought patterns? If you answered yes to any of those questions, Phoenix Wright is not for you. If you didn't, and that should be all of you if you're reading this, you should go snag Phoenix Wright right now.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney revitalizes both the adventure genre and the Nintendo DS touch-screen functionality by combining an enthralling story with interesting characters, in addition to providing a unique way of interacting with them, case evidence, and the game's scenery. Though the game is heavily text-driven and there's little replayability, it's a bright, rich, and lengthy adventure that could hardly have been improved upon otherwise. If you're interested in a clever, well-presented murder-mystery adventure game, then you'd be hard-pressed to find anything that suits your needs better than Phoenix Wright.

And that proposition is this; sure, being a lawyer is a job fraught with paperwork, long hours, and very serious consequences. But on the other hand, when idiot-savants like Phoenix Wright are behind the wheel, even the most mundane task becomes a pseudo-realistic drive down Hilarious Lane. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney adds another notch to the already impressive belt of DS weirdness. Objection? Overruled; we mean "weird" in the best possible way.

The gameplay may not be perfect and somewhat frustrating at times because of its uniquely linear features, but it still allows you to have a ton of fun with it. It may not be exactly worth going through a second time, but some will feel the motivation to do so. So simply put, if you thought law couldn’t be a fun game concept, think again. Capcom proves it’s possible in Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney for the Nintendo DS.

As long as you know what to expect from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, you probably won’t be let down. As a gamer you should be open to all types of new experiences and as such, Phoenix Wright won’t let you down. So, if you can find what may be the rarest of DS games at the moment, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

Still, despite the half-done feeling of chapter five, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney remains the sort of game that I live for. It's intelligent, creative, and never ever loses its sense of humor. My hat is off to Capcom for creating such a quirky and likable cast of characters along with a totally engrossing game to match. Players who thrive on adrenaline may not know what to make of it, but people looking for a little mental exercise and a lot of laughs will find the kind of unique, offbeat experience that comes along once in a blue moon. More, please.

It's testament though to the overall quality of the game that you don't notice the fact that it could be done on a GBA until then - you're too engrossed in the story to care. And after Another Code, it's another consummate example of how the point-and-click genre can enjoy a new lease of life on the DS.

Lately we’re seeing games that are testing the true potential of the Nintendo DS and as a fan of Nintendo’s new handheld this is very good news indeed. Whether you like performing surgeries or attempting to survive a deserted island, innovation is in and we couldn’t be happier. Joining these games is Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a text adventure game that has you filling the loafers of a defense lawyer. Well, my mother always wanted a lawyer in the family.

It's important to note that the game is entirely linear, which may be one of its biggest faults. There are really no alternate routes you can take in terms of collecting evidence and defending your client. In this regard, there is very little replay value, despite the fact that it's a lengthy game. Despite this complaint, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is worth checking out if you're even remotely into text-based adventure games.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a great way to show off the DS’s innovative features, and it is also a great game with a humorous story. Do I want Capcom to produce another Phoenix Wright game quickly? Guilty as charged.

If you’re into murder mysteries, then this is a game for you. Much like the pages of a book, you follow the story, gathering the evidence, and finding out the true cause of deaths through out the game, but most importantly the true killer. It is extremely linear, but that keeps the storyline flowing. Because of this, you are stuck on a set path, even if you would like to take a different one.

Unique games are one of the most appealing reasons to own a Nintendo DS, and it is because of games such as this. It puts good use to all of the features of the Nintendo DS and requires you to exercise you mind in order to become a successful attorney. Because it is so linear you may not play it over and over, but the unique nature of the game and the humor may get you to give it another go. It's been a while since we have seen a good adventure game, and hopefully this will help rekindle an interest in the genre.

With America's continuing obsessions with crime drama and anime, it's a wonder the Gyakuten Saiban series never made it stateside. Combining the two makes a strange, but effective mishmash that should appeal to enthusiasts of the two genres well...and until now, it never got the chance to shine in America. Capcom decided to remedy this, re-releasing the Game Boy Advance original on the DS with additional features and a new title: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

All in all Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a fantastic addition the DS’s growing library of quality titles. Even though it is an extremely linear experience, and you probably won’t be playing it a second time after you reach the end, the game still shows enough quality on that one run through to warrant a full price buy. A few months down the line you may look up at your shelf (or pile) of games glance at Phoenix Wright and remember the great times you had playing it which is, while all is said and done a great sign of a quality title. Definitely worth picking up, wait until an imminent price drop in the coming months if needed but you certainly won’t regret adding this to your collection.

I really can't recommend this enough both as an outstanding game and a showcase for the type of unique gaming experiences only the DS can provide. If you do actually buy it (and finish it) there's little problem there too because Capcom have just announced that a sequel is in the works if proof were needed just how successful this title has been.

If you have a short attention span or are easily frustrated, then you will probably have trouble playing through this game. The cases get difficult quickly. However, if you’re looking to test the power of your logical and imaginative thinking, I recommend Phoenix Wright to you.

We've made it through this text without a single, annoyingly bad legal pun. I owe Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney that much. It's got laughs. It's got satisfying closure. It's got great thinking-man's gameplay bolstered by a decidedly anime presentation. It's even got a jubbulent witness clad in pink. Whatever you think of traditional adventure games; whatever you thought of "that lawyer game" when you first heard about it; play this game. What's supposed to be slow and plodding ends up being quite a thrill ride.

These minor faults haven't ruined Gamestyle's enjoyment of this intriguing title. Phoenix Wright is a breath of fresh air; the interesting story, ludicrous characters and a unique style of game are enough to wrap the player up in its world. A sequel is already planned for next year, and Gamestyle looks forward to settling into the courtroom drama once again.

When renovating a genre, it’s important to ensure that the final product is both fresh and fun to play. By both accounts, Gyakuten Saiban passes this test with flying colours. The minor issues are nowhere near big enough to take away from a game that sucks the player in with its originality and keeps them well and truly locked in until the judgement is made in the final case. Simply put, it’s brilliant.

We all love a good mystery, from the classic who-done-it to uncovering where you left the house keys. Phoenix Wright capitalizes on humanity's inherent love for a slightly aggravating puzzle that we secretly relish. With fantastic presentation, an amicable and humorous cast, and plenty of length to validate a purchase, Phoenix Wright is the game the Dick Tracy and Sherlock Homes in all of us have been craving.

Forget the battlefield. The courtroom is the most contentious place on earth, and now we've got the game to prove it. Short of throwing down Street Fighter-style with the bailiff, you won't find a more action packed courtroom drama than Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney.

When it comes down to it, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has a lot going for it. An imaginative world, colorful characters, bright graphics, great logic puzzles, and a unique feel. If you can live without the slightest bit of action and can forget anything you know about the law (suspension of legal belief is definitely required) then there's a lot for you here to enjoy. This is a great DS title that anyone can get into, but takes certain predilections to appreciate.

Though at the core Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a GBA game with adapted touch screen and voice features (neither of which you really need to use - the voice support is also a bit iffy), it's such a refreshing game. The cases are really well thought out and will get you thinking, the sound effects and graphics are top notch for a 2D image-based handheld adventure, but introducing some great new elements in the final case makes you wish that they had done it for all of them. It isn't for everyone, but it's a great introduction to what could be a unique series of handheld games for our shores.

In the end, I’m really glad I got my hands on a copy of this game. It might be a little stiff, but the game is just plain fun to play thanks to some outstanding writing that’s just plain lacking in many other games. Your adventure through Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney will leave you laughing, even if it isn’t an action-packed adventure full of bullets and carnage. If you’ve got a DS, this is a must-have for your collection, and if you don’t own a DS, this is definitely a game to consider purchasing the system for.

Overall, Phoenix Wright is a solid game. It’s one of those games that gamers might not buy on impulse, merely because a game that follows law doesn’t necessarily sound enthralling. The diverse characters and humorous outbursts that occur in the courtroom are enough to make Phoenix Wright an enjoyable experience and what helps keep the player interested into it. With its great presentation as well as its sleek use of the Nintendo DS features, Phoenix Wright proves to be a game of fine justice.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney has been worth the long wait for European DS owners, and carries on the handheld's strategy of introducing original concepts for gamers of all demographics to enjoy. With heavy amounts of text and progress based upon your brain reflex as opposed to your trigger finger, Ace Attorney isn't a game for everybody; but for those looking for a stylish and original experience, make sure to check this out immediately as it will probably surprise you.

Text heavy interactive simulations have a hardcore following in Asia, but the genre hasn't fared well on Western shores. Capcom hopes to capitalize on the scarcity of titles in the sim genre by releasing the hugely popular Japanese GBA series Gyakuten Saiban (amply dubbed "Phoenix Wright" here in the States). Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a defense lawyer simulation where players assume the role of the titular character as he attempts to clear his clients of murder charges.

Phoenix Wright is definitely not a game for everyone, but as a fan of old-school text and graphic adventure games on the PC, I really got into this title. It also works great on the DS, especially during the investigation bits where you have to search around the screen for hidden clues. If you don't mind using your brain as you play, then approach this bench. Court is now in session.

Japanese translations walk a fine line. It's one of those mysteries you don't ever want to solve, like how come all the jokes in Asterix are based on English puns, if the comics were written in French? Anyone who played the truly wondrous Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga on the GBA will understand. Fawful, the character who spoke in badly translated Japanese ("I HAVE FURY!") - how did that joke possibly work in the original Japanese version? And if it didn't, then...

It's a mighty testament to Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney that I'm wondering the same thing as I play.

Hundreds of games are released in Japan each year that never make the trip across the Pacific. One of the more successful titles to have suffered this fate was the Game Boy Advance’s Gyakuten Saiban (loosely translated to "Turnabout Courtroom"), which also spawned two sequels. Thankfully, the game’s developer Capcom has seen the opportunity to release an updated version of the game for the Nintendo DS, what with the audience’s expectation of more unique titles and all. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the result and, despite being somewhat simplistic in nature, is an enjoyable adventure game with a solid premise and an excellent script.

Playing Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on the Nintendo DS takes me back years ago to my gaming days on the Apple II. One of the first games I ever acquired for my computer was a text adventure based upon Perry Mason; it was, in retrospect, a pretty crappy and linear adventure, but at the time it was cool to try a hand at digging for clues in order to prove a client innocent or guilty in the courtroom. Twenty years later that same feeling's come back with Capcom's latest DS game: Phoenix Wright isn't much more than elaborate, visual text adventure that's harshly linear in its design. But it's easy to lose hours playing this game because the script is so interesting and well written, even if no court system would ever operate this way in the real world.

For those out there who got a DS because they wanted new experiences, I think that this cart is your chance.

75

Portable Review

Replay is a bit of a mixed bag in this game. On one side, the game itself is incredibly fun and will probably keep you coming back while it lasts. On the other hand, this game is pretty short with only five cases. Still, this game is definitely worth buying, considering that you can even replay cases later on. A few more cases would have been nice, but from what I’ve heard, Capcom’s working on the sequel. Personally, I can’t wait.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney doesn't have much replay value, since the cases are pretty linear and finite, but it is surprisingly lengthy and should take you well more than a weekend to solve all the game's mysteries. Text adventure fans have been left out in the cold for many years now, so it's good to see that they're finally getting some love. Fans of court dramas and interactive novels will also find a lot to like in this game.

While those old games were fun and Phoenix brings some new features to the table the game really never rises to greatness. The difficulty is low due to the puzzles being about as tough as a play through the board game clue and the replayability is nonexistant. It's a great unique rental for sure but not one I would rush out to buy.

It is not clear why Capcom took a gamble on releasing a game under a genre that has not been commercially viable in America for years but DS owners craving for something creative now have Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney to play.

Honestly, the more typical gamer will likely get bored of this game quickly. Rather than feeling like a traditional videogame, it feels more like an interactive novel that reveals itself at a more leisurely pace than most games out there. That qualifies it as a niche product to be sure, but intrigued parties should certainly take a chance on this unique title.

A fun rental. I wouldn't object to purchasing it at about $20 either, because it's kind of fun to have around. I'm not really the type of person who replays adventure games, but if you are, you'll probably be leaning more towards the "Buy" side of the fence than not. If Capcom could just get some better scenario writers; someone to weed out the contradictions of their own storylines, and someone to make this a little less "out of left field" and a bit more logical progression towards the truth, this could be fun for a larger audience.

Phoenix Wright is a wonderfully addictive game. The fact that it is essentially an interactive novel makes it easy to walk away from and get right back into. It’s not a game I’ll skip work for, but it is a game I’d lose sleep playing.

But as well as Wright simulates the jocular oneupmanship of matinee legal drama, it seldom placates concerns that it again simulates rather than replicates the underlying deductive processes. It's bound by its lengthy cases and lack of replay value to keep the player moving forward, seldom posing a challenge that can't be overcome by basic common sense or, at worst, a process of elimination. It too often asks for a mere nod in the right direction rather than a decisively considered gambit, filling in the incriminating details itself and leaving the player yearning for more active involvement. It certainly isn't the first case of a game holding its playerís hand too tightly, but thankfully it's a difficult one to dismiss or, indeed, to adjourn.

Overall, Phoenix Wright: Justice For All will entertain you with engaging characters and interesting storylines. If you’re good at detective work, you’ll be hooked; if you’re not, you may be putting this game down sooner than later.

For me, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney was a killer app. I just had to buy a DS so I could play the lawyer game. If you only like videogames in which, you know, you actually do something, this title might not be for you. But if menus don't daunt you and if the idea of screaming "Hold it!" while pressing a vile villain about his latest lie get your motor running, you might want to at least take Phoenix Wright for a test drive, if not take it home with you.

The game too often asks for a mere nod in the right direction rather than a decisively considered gambit, filling in the incriminating details itself and leaving the player yearning for more active involvement. It certainly isn't the first case of a game holding its player's hand too tightly, but thankfully it's a difficult one to dismiss or, indeed, to adjourn.

Solving Wright's epic courtroom dramas takes considerably longer than you'd expect. Also, the game doesn't reach its stride until the fifth and final case (the only one designed specifically for DS; Wright started as a GBA game). This wildly complex, surprisingly serious ubercase sports several creative new touch-screen gameplay segments that nicely complement the narrative. A full game like that would have been truly sweet.

PWAA is a superb game to add to your DS library and is certainly worth the money you put down for it. However, If you are wary as to whether this game is suited for you, or if you feel comfortable completing it in a rental period, I would suggest the rental route. That is, if you can find a copy of the game in the first place.

Sadly, those moments should be far more prevalent. That disappointment coupled with a total lack of replayability (there's only one solution out of every case), and Phoenix Wright misses its chance at success. It's unique nature will help it find an audience, but everyone else will likely stay away from the two sequels Capcom has yet to bring to the US.

Phoenix Wright has the look, feel and sound down, plus it uses DS features like the microphone (You can shout "Objection" if you're feeling really obnoxious) and the touch screen. But a great presentation and even better writing can't compensate for the fact that the game practically plays itself. This is a good comic book, but a below average adventure. The prosecution rests.